In this article, we discuss why you should apply to O&G training, how to build your portfolio & we detail the application process. O&G is a 7-year run-through programme, incorporating a core curriculum with ultrasound training & there are plenty of opportunities to subspecialise.

Why apply to Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G)?

How to build your portfolio

A key aim is to show dedication to the speciality and then reflect what lessons or skills you’ve learnt or can demonstrate that are transferrable to O&G:

• Use opportunities to undertake audit/ QIP relating to women’s health (One way to get involved is by sending an email to consultants/doctors to find out about possible projects whilst at university)
• Taster activities in O&G
• Develop transferrable skills relevant to O&G
• Attend local careers fairs or RCOG run events to gain more understanding of the speciality
• Submit applications for RCOG prizes and awards for Foundation Doctors
• If taking a gap year – locum / clinical fellow post in O&G (ensure you have no more than 18 months total experience)
• Familiarise yourself with the RCOG ST1 Person Specification. If you are interested in finding person specifications for any other specialties, you can also find them here.

The Application Process

O&G Speciality training is a 7 year run through training programme:

Image from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Application is via Oriel and managed by Health Education England (HEE):

• Applications open in November  – online application form on Oriel
• Standardised longlisting process
• Multi-Speciality Recruitment Assessment (MSRA)* – Early January – (25% of interview score)
• 3 station interview – Late January/ Early February – (75% of interview score) 
• Offers made in March
• Ranking of deaneries/allocation of specific posts
• Posts commence in August

*Multi-Speciality Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is also done in GP / psychiatry recruitment etc. It is sat at a driving test centre and performed on a computer under test conditions. 

The top 75 ranked applicants, based on their total MSRA score, will bypass the interview. These applicants will not need to attend the interview in order to be eligible for an ST1 Obstetrics and Gynaecology offer. For example, the applicant with the highest MSRA bypass score will be ranked first. The applicant with the highest MSRA and interview score ranked 76th.

Where there are tied MSRA scores for bypass applicants, they were split using the following order of priority.

1.         Clinical Problem-Solving paper

2.         Professional Dilemmas paper

MSRA bypass applicants will be able to see a summary of their raw MSRA scores and their overall ST1 Obstetrics and Gynaecology rank via your Oriel account prior to offers being released.

The interview is held online and is made up of 3 x 15-minute stations including:

1. Traditional interview panel
2. Communication station – roleplay with an actor
3. Clinical prioritisation station

The core training (ST1-7) includes MRCOG exams, which trainees must pass to earn the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and be entered on the Specialist Register.  Sitting and/or passing the Part 1 MRCOG exam is not required for specialty application and will not provide any direct advantage in the recruitment process. In addition, the exam has become more clinically focused, so a lack of clinical experience in managing problems on the ward would be a disadvantage.

You don’t have to have done a rotation in O&G during FY1 or FY2 to apply to specialty training, however, it is helpful to get an idea of what the specialty entails and to help build a portfolio for the application process. If you don’t have a job in FY1 or FY2 in O&G, you can do taster days, which will greatly help your application.

There are about 300 places in the UK for ST1 O&G speciality training per year, with the competition ratio in 2023 being 4.32.

You can find further information on recruitment including timelines/person specification/vacancy numbers/application guides here.

Best of luck with your application and future career in O&G!

Useful Resources

• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Written by Dr Amber Wilson (ST4 O&G)

Updated by Dr Anastasia Lynn (FY2 in O&G)

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